In 1996, the Child Safety Advocate awards program was created to recognize Indiana's child passenger safety technicians for their extraordinary efforts in preventing injury and death among children in Indiana. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car crashes remain the leading cause of death for children in the U.S. Every 32 seconds, one child under the age of 13 in a passenger vehicle is involved in a crash. Research shows that when used correctly, car seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and 54 percent for toddlers in cars.
Indiana has a vast network of child passenger safety technicians, who are dedicated to educating parents and caregivers on matters related to child seat safety, such as finding the right car seat and proper installation. Now under the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and the Automotive Safety Program, the Child Safety Advocate awards program was created to recognize those going above and beyond in Indiana to prevent unintentional motor vehicle fatalities. The winners are selected by region every year.
Award Recipients
- 2021
City
Award Recipient
Organization
Photo
Caption
Michigan City
Ann Rissman
LaPorte County Health Department
Ann Rissman, 2021 Child Safety Advocate Award recipient.
Kokomo
Barb Hilton
Family Service Association of Howard County, Inc.
Barb Hilton, 2021 Child Safety Advocate Award recipient.
Indianapolis
Teresa Jones
Indiana University Health
Teresa "Terri" Jones, 2021 Child Safety Advocate Award recipient. Crawfordsville
Amy Klossner
Women’s Resource Center
Amy Klossner, 2021 Child Safety Advocate Award recipient.
Indianapolis
Carlye Gibson
Indiana Department of Child Services
ICJI Traffic Safety Director Robert Duckworth (left) presenting Carlye Gibson (right) with the 2021 Child Safety Advocate Award. Evansville
Lacy Hanmore
Ascension St. Vincent Evansville
Lacy Hanmore, 2021 Child Safety Advocate Award recipient. Batesville
Megan Roope
Margaret Mary Health
Lori Mauer (left) and Megan Roope (right) receiving the 2021 Child Safety Advocate Award. Batesville
Lori Mauer
Margaret Mary Health
Lori Mauer (left) and Megan Roope (right) receiving the 2021 Child Safety Advocate Award.